17 August 2009 · Committee
Field 421449 Off, Main Road, Colby, Isle Of Man, IM9 4ns
The proposal involved converting part of five fields south of the railway line and one field to the north alongside the A7 Main Road into a football facility. Key elements included a clubhouse capable of holding up to 100 people with a first-floor gym for up to 20, 49 permanent parking spaces, 44 overspill spaces on grasscrete, and 50 further spaces to the west of the pitches. A new controlled barrier crossing over the railway line was required, involving removal of existing rails and sleepers, installation of service ducts, and a new barrier system. Visibility at the A7 and Station Road junction was to be improved by demolishing an existing stone barn and lowering a bridge parapet. A groundsman's shed measuring 9.2m by 7.3m and 3.7m to the ridge, finished in metal sheeting, was also proposed alongside traffic calming on Station Road. The main planning issues were the use of agricultural land for a sports facility and the impact of lighting.
The Planning Committee approved the application, in line with the officer recommendation. The use of agricultural land for a community football facility was considered acceptable in principle, having been established through an earlier approval. Conditions were imposed to manage lighting impact on neighbouring properties and to secure detailed landscaping to soften the development's visual effect.
Condition 1
The development hereby permitted shall commence before the expiration of four years from the date of this notice.
Condition 2
This permission relates to the creation of playing fields, clubhouse, car parking, access, landscaping and tractor shed all as shown in the following plans and information: 01B, 02B, 32235A/103, -104, -105, -110, -111, 3766-01, Strategy for the Protection of Watercourse, JMP report Technical Note 2, Schedule 1, Figure 2.1b and 2.1a, and the Phillips Lighting Report dated 28th January, 2009 all received on 27th February, 2009; Phillips Lighting Report dated 29th January, 2009, 32235A/101A, -112 received on 17th June, 2009 and 32235A/PH2 Rev B, 32235A/102A, -106A and -109A all received on 29th June, 2009.
Condition 3
No development may commence until such times as the new access onto the A7 Main Road has been set out and available for use as shown in the approved drawings.
Condition 4
The development south of the railway line may not be undertaken during the railway operating season until such times as the railway crossing has been put in place as shown and described in the approved plans.
Condition 5
All planting, seeding or turfing comprised in the approved details of landscaping must be carried out in the first planting and seeding seasons following the completion of the development or the occupation of the dwellings, whichever is the sooner. Any trees or plants which within a period of five years from the completion of the development die, are removed, or become seriously damaged or diseased must be replaced in the next planting season with others of a similar size and species.
Condition 6
No approval is hereby granted to the lighting alongside the roadway and within the car park as shown in the approved plans. Such lighting must be lower in height and profile to reflect the rural location of the site. A revised scheme for this lighting must be approved by the Planning Committee prior to the erection of any lighting in the car park or alongside the access lane.
Condition 7
Surface illumination due to light spillage from the proposed lighting shall not exceed 5 lux within the curtilage of any residential property.
Condition 8
The proposed floodlighting may not be operated after 2100hrs or before 1500hrs on any day. The remaining lighting on the site and along the access must be extinguished when the premises are not in use.
Condition 9
The proposed clubhouse may be used only for spectating, committee meetings, administration of the football club, changing and refreshments during and immediately after football matches and training, and outwith these times may be used for purposes of a children's nursery and for social, recreation and leisure purposes. The clubhouse may not be used for any purposes before 0700 hrs or after 2230 hrs on Sunday to Thursday or before 0700 hrs or after 2345 hrs on Fridays and Saturdays. All lighting to the car park and access lane must be extinguished 15 minutes after the cessation of the use of the clubhouse.
